Richard Burgon MP, Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary, responding to the today’s Ministry of Justice policy paper, said:

“Labour welcomes technology being used to improve the experience of court users, particularly for vulnerable victims. However, we note the concerns of practitioners following the rushed introduction of new court technology and we will closely scrutinise this modernisation process.

“The record of this Conservative Government and its predecessor has been to cut access to justice through legal aid cuts, court closures and new court and Tribunal fees.

“Unless the Government’s Prison and Courts Reform Bill ensures court modernisation goes hand-in-hand with improved access to justice, then this will be another missed opportunity from a Government that has failed on justice.”